Facts About Liquids For Weight Loss - What You Should Know
Were all aware that water is best for us.
But is everything else we think we know about drinks equally true? 1.
Carbonated drinks are no more fattening than still drinks - TRUE Bubbles in drinks are carbon dioxide, the same gas released by the body every time you breathe out.
There is no evidence that carbon dioxide makes you fat.
The issue with fizzy drink - or still cordial or squash - is the calories.
So choose a low-sugar variety.
TIP - invest in a traditional Soda Stream machine to brighten up water, or sugar-free squashes.
2.
Tea and coffee cause dehydration - FALSE Caffeine acts as a mild diuretic, and while it is true that the water you retain after drinking a cup of plain H2O is marginally greater than if you have tea of coffee, this effect is tiny in comparison to the very much larger quantity of water you absorb.
This means that a cup of tea or coffee is a good way to stay hydrated.
Choose decaffeinated varieties if you want to limit your caffeine intake.
Avoid adding sugar and use low-far milk to keep calories low.
TIP - Try herbal teas as an alternative low-calorie hot drink 3.
Drinking more water helps to burn fat - FALSE To lose weight you must eat fewer calories than you need so that your body draws the extra energy from its fat stores.
Drinking more water will not help.
The reverse is also a myth - restricting water intake is not effective.
Any weight losses will be short-term and your body will rapidly adjust to retain extra water to meet your needs.
Plus, this can make you feel dizzy and light-headed.
TIP - Flavored waters can often contain surprisingly large amounts of sugar - so watch out! 4.
Drinking wine every day is good for the heart - TRUE People who drink very small amounts of alcohol do seem to be healthier than non-drinkers, but having more than just one or two units per day increases the health risks.
With larger glasses and stronger wines, many people are consuming far more alcohol than they may realize - or want to believe! TIP - Dilute white wine with mineral water, or alternate alcoholic drinks with a soft, low-calorie mixer.
5.
Smoothies are just expensive fruit juice - FALSE Analysis shows that most smoothies are higher in Vitamin C and Fibre than fruit juice and also contain higher levels of antioxidants.
This is because they contain, at least in part, the whole fruit.
The leading brands of smoothies typically contain around 1.
5g fibre per 100ml, compared to only 0.
1g in freshly squeezed orange juice.
Most people eat far too little fibre for good health, so the added fibre can make an important difference.
Compared to fruit juice, this extra fibre may also help you to feel fuller and keep hunger at bay.
Given their high fruit content, smoothies are high in sugar, too - about 12g per 100ml - so you'll need to count calories.
A typical 250ml serving has about 120-150 calories, but they do count towards your 5-a-day.
TIP - Try making your own - it's a great way to tempt children to try new fruits! 6.
A sports or energy drink after exercise is best - FALSE These drinks are useful for competitive athletes to boost performance, but water is sufficient for most people, most of the time.
Sports drinks contain as many calories as regular squash and you risk swallowing far more than the calories you have burnt off in exercise within just a few minutes.
Many "energy" drinks also contain caffeine.
TIP - For maximum refreshment, make sure water is fresh and cool.
Add sugar-free cordial if you prefer something flavored Knowing the facts about liquids is a great way to aid Weight Loss, after all doing a session of exercise and then taking an Energy Drink which has High Calories will have a negative effect on your progress.
But is everything else we think we know about drinks equally true? 1.
Carbonated drinks are no more fattening than still drinks - TRUE Bubbles in drinks are carbon dioxide, the same gas released by the body every time you breathe out.
There is no evidence that carbon dioxide makes you fat.
The issue with fizzy drink - or still cordial or squash - is the calories.
So choose a low-sugar variety.
TIP - invest in a traditional Soda Stream machine to brighten up water, or sugar-free squashes.
2.
Tea and coffee cause dehydration - FALSE Caffeine acts as a mild diuretic, and while it is true that the water you retain after drinking a cup of plain H2O is marginally greater than if you have tea of coffee, this effect is tiny in comparison to the very much larger quantity of water you absorb.
This means that a cup of tea or coffee is a good way to stay hydrated.
Choose decaffeinated varieties if you want to limit your caffeine intake.
Avoid adding sugar and use low-far milk to keep calories low.
TIP - Try herbal teas as an alternative low-calorie hot drink 3.
Drinking more water helps to burn fat - FALSE To lose weight you must eat fewer calories than you need so that your body draws the extra energy from its fat stores.
Drinking more water will not help.
The reverse is also a myth - restricting water intake is not effective.
Any weight losses will be short-term and your body will rapidly adjust to retain extra water to meet your needs.
Plus, this can make you feel dizzy and light-headed.
TIP - Flavored waters can often contain surprisingly large amounts of sugar - so watch out! 4.
Drinking wine every day is good for the heart - TRUE People who drink very small amounts of alcohol do seem to be healthier than non-drinkers, but having more than just one or two units per day increases the health risks.
With larger glasses and stronger wines, many people are consuming far more alcohol than they may realize - or want to believe! TIP - Dilute white wine with mineral water, or alternate alcoholic drinks with a soft, low-calorie mixer.
5.
Smoothies are just expensive fruit juice - FALSE Analysis shows that most smoothies are higher in Vitamin C and Fibre than fruit juice and also contain higher levels of antioxidants.
This is because they contain, at least in part, the whole fruit.
The leading brands of smoothies typically contain around 1.
5g fibre per 100ml, compared to only 0.
1g in freshly squeezed orange juice.
Most people eat far too little fibre for good health, so the added fibre can make an important difference.
Compared to fruit juice, this extra fibre may also help you to feel fuller and keep hunger at bay.
Given their high fruit content, smoothies are high in sugar, too - about 12g per 100ml - so you'll need to count calories.
A typical 250ml serving has about 120-150 calories, but they do count towards your 5-a-day.
TIP - Try making your own - it's a great way to tempt children to try new fruits! 6.
A sports or energy drink after exercise is best - FALSE These drinks are useful for competitive athletes to boost performance, but water is sufficient for most people, most of the time.
Sports drinks contain as many calories as regular squash and you risk swallowing far more than the calories you have burnt off in exercise within just a few minutes.
Many "energy" drinks also contain caffeine.
TIP - For maximum refreshment, make sure water is fresh and cool.
Add sugar-free cordial if you prefer something flavored Knowing the facts about liquids is a great way to aid Weight Loss, after all doing a session of exercise and then taking an Energy Drink which has High Calories will have a negative effect on your progress.
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